28 Nov, 2007
What Happened At Greenbuild
So -- how you gonna figure out what went on?
Go here.
28 Nov, 2007
'Smart Home' Busman's Holiday
Doug Fiske, who once owned On-Q -- he once almost sold it to Leviton, then succeeded in selling it to Legrand -- has built a new house in Roanoke, Va. On-Q is the vendor of mucho "smart home" technology and (guess what) . . . Doug's house is SMART! [He still runs the place].
The local paper wrote it up (962 words). The piece is stored online (3-page PDF) on the site of a GC. First two words: "The Jetsons'"
28 Nov, 2007
Push Button House
28 Nov, 2007
Ways To Go Green
28 Nov, 2007
The Pro-CFL Argument
I'm still a CFL skeptic, and I've written (and will continue to do so) -- but you need to hear the "pro" argument, I think. It's hard to believe that you have not already heard this about 1,000 times.
But maybe you haven't; or maybe you don't believe it. CFLs have a market share (vs. the old incandescent energy-wasting alternative) of some place in the single digits, percentage-wise.
Something isn't working here.
28 Nov, 2007
Immigrant Electrical Workers, 2004
In a white paper on the Natl. Assn. of Home Builders site, "Immigrant Workers in Construction" -- written by a lady with a Ph.D. and posted 12/2/05 -- Table 3 provides "Construction Workers and Residential Construction Wages by Occupation, 2004."
According to the data, 75,351 of "electricians" (or electrical workers, which is DIFFERENT) were immigrants, and 538,378 were U.S. born. That gives the immigrant share of electrical workers as 12.28%, which is 2nd-lowest among the trades ("equipment operators" were lowest, at 10.72%).
28 Nov, 2007
Hiring Plans Seem Good
...what were the Q4 06 expectations?
...and how did that pan out (did the previous expectations result in actual hiring?)...???
27 Nov, 2007
PoE Switch Rev. Soars
Here's the complete text of a post by Jeff Caruso of Network World, one of my favorite industry writers (see original here). I've boldfaced the info esp. wanted everyone to see:
The market for Ethernet switches swelled to a record $4.8 billion in the third quarter of this year, with Power-over-Ethernet ports accounting to a startling percentage of shipments, the Dell'Oro Group recently revealed.
The appeal of Power over Ethernet is pretty clear. With PoE, you deliver power and Ethernet data signal over the same cable, something that comes in handy for VoIP phones or wireless LAN access points placed in awkward locations.
That PoE ports now account for 20% of all Ethernet switch port shipments worldwide, however, is pretty amazing. Gigabit Ethernet PoE port shipments increased almost 80%, compared to the same quarter last year, Dell'Oro says. I doubt all those ports are being used for phones - which would mean that in many cases, customers are buying the capability just to have it, in case they ever need PoE on those ports.
Dell'Oro notes that the price premium for Gigabit PoE has declined, and that Cisco and Nortel - the leaders in sales of IP phones - both contributed to the record PoE shipments. The research firm says the overall market has seen 17 straight quarters of year-over-year growth.
In related news, Dell'Oro said that the market for service provider routers also hit a record level in the third quarter, at $2 billion. Cisco and Juniper both collected record revenues from service provider routers. They are the number one and two market leaders, respectively, both growing this business at more than 30% year-over-year.
Plus, the worldwide IP telephony carrier market reached $1 billion in quarterly revenues for the first time in the third quarter.
27 Nov, 2007
Contrary Opinion
Here at EleBlog, I feel no obligation to post the more-than-one-side (often there are MORE than two!) to every story. However, I just stumbled across a piece posted to SeekingAlpha.com that's FAVORABLE to Home Depot stock.
I am not a great admirer of what's gone on at this company in recent years. As I have written (on TEDMAG.com) -- it looks like a very large moron flailing around, trying to maintain a growth rate that is clearly NOT maintainable.
However, for what it's worth, here's what someone named Keith Lefebvre wrote:
It is hard to find much fault with the company fundamentally. However, there is one lingering risk; they are involved in this industry that built up so much overcapacity that it collapsed upon itself. How long does it take for this growth to get humming again. Home Depot will eventually have some pretty easy prior-year comparables to go up against for earnings and revenue growth. What is the immanent catalyst short-term though? That is the clincher, as noted by S&P in their latest research report.
This stock could languish for years, how long could you stand holding a flat or declining stock.......? They are currently willing to pay you 3.1% to wait, that is more than their closest competitor...
If you are a long term investor though, I'll bet that when the U.S. housing debacle becomes a distant memory, you'll be glad you picked up a few shares of this company.
EleBlog take:
a. He might be right!
b. There are higher dividends than 3.1% if one is looking for yield, tho. There are lower dividends that might be more secure and more interesting in the long run (GE is right now paying $1.12 on its $37 stock price, which works out to about the same -- 3.0%.)
c. I tripped over KL's last point -- "when the U.S. housing debacle becomes a distant memory." He's probably right about this, of course. But -- what if the housing debacle starts to become a distant memory around the years 2012-15...?????
27 Nov, 2007
Lamp Demand To 2011
The Freedonia Group -- which specializes in coming up with numbers people want to see -- has projected that lamp demand in the U.S> will grow by 5.0% from 2006 to 2011, including 10.1% growth in the $ value of fluorescents and 0.7% growth in incandescents.
I've posted TFG's 2-page PDF (which includes a table of reported actual and projected future demand for lamps in four categories and a total) here. I posted it because I couldn't get the table to reproduce correctly here, which is just one of my many shortcomings.
27 Nov, 2007
Wireless Drives Cabling
A release of interest, from Frank the cabling data maven:
According to FTM Consulting, the structured cabling systems market for wireless local area networks (WLANs) is forecast to grow from $202.5 million in 2007, at a cumulative average growth rate of 56.4%, to $1.9 billion by 2012. Data from their new report details this new development.HUMMELSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, NOVEMBER 12, 2007 – Frank Murawski, President of FTM Consulting, Inc., announced the publication of its latest market research study “Wireless Structured Cabling Systems (SCS) Market.”
Frank Murawski, President said, “Wireless is becoming another IP subnet on the enterprise’s core network, just like voice (VOIP) or video (video over IP).” Frank indicated that the wireless local area network (WLAN) is being driven by new technology developments, such as IEEE802.11n, which will provide improved performance (higher throughputs) and improved security features. In addition, the universal acceptance of WiFi and the new developing technology, WiMAX, provide enterprises with standardized technologies for use of wireless within buildings. Moreover, the release of the TIA/EIA – 162 cabling standard in March 2006 provides a platform for deploying these new structured cabling systems. These and other wireless developments, together with five-year forecasts for copper and fiber cabling are included
within this new report.Additional information on this report is available at FTM Consulting’s Web site, www.ftmconsultinginc.com or by contacting Frank Murawski at (717) 533-4990.
27 Nov, 2007
Non-Res Construction Outlooks
It's best to get all of the BAD news out in one post, isn't it? Here's one big headache, split up into a bunch of forecasts, outlooks, data, and stuff.
Reed Construction Data's take: Construction Starts Drop Again In October (6p PDF).
McGraw-Hill Construction (Reed's rival) saw October construction starts unchanged from September. But if you go back a month, the MHC economists saw September construction starts down 9%.
Industrial and Office property folks are "uncertain" about next year, according to Commercial Property News.
"Commercial investors may be on sidelines" -- according to the Natl. Assn. of Realtors, of all people -- according to National Real Estate Investor.
And to round this off, Nouriel Roubini -- who for EleBlog's money is the smartest economic observer out there right now -- says commercial real estate is "the next shoe to drop" in the credit mess. It's easy to poo-pooh Roubini, as he's a doom-and-gloomer. Problem: He keeps being proven right!
27 Nov, 2007
CFL Price-Shopping, Etc.
27 Nov, 2007
Tape Delay
Long time between posts? Yes. A biztrip to the Natl Assn of Electrical Distributors Eastern Region meeting (where I moderated a panel on commodities and spoke - with a fellow presenter - on "smarter, greener buildings." That was immediately (one day in between) followed by a mini-vacation.
I've been away. And now I'm swamped. I'll play catch-up for a while -- here and elsewhere.
08 Nov, 2007
Chief Geek Speaks
Stephens told EHX attendees that they should not fear his company, owned by big-box retailer Best Buy, because many Geek Squad employees will one day be working for them.
“We’re going to be a feeder for your industry,” he said.
Best Buy will help the custom installation industry by spawning talent, “a lot of which you’ll probably hire,” he said, as well as create awareness for this industry. The big-box retailer should also help increase demand and lower the cost of technology, he said.
08 Nov, 2007
Tom Leppert, Mayor of Dallas
Coincidentally, I'm in Dallas today to work with the Rexel folks on some POWER OUTLET issues. I just looked at the Dallas Morning News, and found a reference to Leppert (he was elected mayor in June).
08 Nov, 2007
What's Green?
At an Oct. 25 construction forecasting conference, there was a lot of TALK about green. It included Rick Fedrizzi of the U.S. Green Building Conference, who spoke for 30 minutes, got a heaping helping of (deserved) praise from the session’s host—and the biggest ovation of all from 400 attendees.
Yet when the conference ended, no one offered to collect (for future re-use) my plastic ID badge holder. Could they have done it? Yes—there was an Outlook ’08 document handed to each attendee as he/she left—at the registration table. The staff could have asked for our badge holders before handing it over.
Don’t think that I’m “innovating” here, the idea of re-using badge holders dates, in my experience, to the 1980s (when I routinely attended recycling conferences).
I provide that example not to attack McGraw-Hill, but to point out that “talking green” is one thing...ACTING green is another. A company that stages many conferences can easily re-use badge holders—keeping them out of the waste stream (and saving a buck in the bargain)...right?
(More)
08 Nov, 2007
Intelligent Bldgs Mag - Downloadable
The latest issue includes an article with results of a survey of how folks 50+ feel about technology. Here's a piece:
or medical emergency. Likewise, about 23 per cent of “50+” new home owners said they were very interested in their homes being capable of emergency power, run by generators or batteries.
Homes wired for a central lighting system, heating and cooling systems that can be controlled from outside of the home and Web-enabled doorbell monitors appealed
to around 15 per cent of respondents.
Fewer still, between nine and 12 per cent of the Boomers found interest in the connected possibilities of:
- monitoring their stoves and ovens from outside the home;
- controlling their heating and cooling systems using a TV remote;
- having healthcare personnel check up on them via the Internet;
- checking their home’s energy use on a computer or TV screen; and
- using a Web camera to monitor other rooms in their homes.
Finally, five per cent of the “50+” respondents said they would like to receive messages on their TV screens when their washers, dryers or dishwashers were done.
08 Nov, 2007
Security Dealers + Lighting
Dallas, Texas October 25, 2007 - Security dealers are moving in large numbers to offer a variety of systems, including digital health and entertainment solutions, according to Parks Associates and EH Publishing. The two firms recently completed a study of security dealers, "Home Systems Integration Channel Monitor 3Q07: Security Systems Integrators/Installers", and will present a summary of findings at a joint briefing at EHX Fall 2007 in Long Beach, Calif., November 8.
"The home systems integration channel continues to grow in both number and types of participating firms," said Bill Ablondi, director, channel research, Parks Associates. "Security dealers routinely install structured wiring, audio, home theater, and control systems and are expanding their offerings into lighting controls and digital health, with nearly 30% offering home health monitoring systems."
"The expansion of security dealers into lighting controls is a good example of fundamental changes taking place in this channel," said Daryl Delano, EH Publishing's research director. "Lighting controls are offered by 44% of security systems integrators/installers, and it's a natural category to link with security systems. When asked what equipment beyond basic security systems is typically included in their projects, 59% reported that lighting controls were also installed."
08 Nov, 2007
'See Thru Walls'
I've not been paid for this (more's the pity!). Go here for more.
08 Nov, 2007
'Net Zero' Building - A First?
02 Nov, 2007
Home Control Trends
A 1,300-word article on HomeToys.com from Parks Associates -- which does home tech market research ++ consulting -- says "30% to 40% of . . . home theater jobs expand into home control projects." The home systems covered: Energy Management, Entertainment, Security, Lighting, and Broadband Access, Entertainment & Infrastructure.
Much of this falls under the heading "electrical construction," in my view. Therefore, "home control dealers" -- the folks Parks studies, sometimes -- could be deemed to be contractors.
Parks says that URCs (see above) "have the potential to dramatically increase consumer awareness of the capabilities and convergence that control systems can provide."
The article also puts the penetration of home lighting control systems in the U.S. -- at 2006's end -- at 10% of households.
02 Nov, 2007
Positive Outlook on '08
I came across a thick PowerPoint from Jeffry H. Taylor, chief economist for the Associated Builders & Contractors -- Construction Industry & Economic Outlook 2007-2008.
Here's the problem: It's dated 7-11-07 -- before all of the fit hit the shan. I am certain Mr. Taylor has since revised his figures. However, here's what he has on the slide, Construction Spending Forecast 2008:
total spending to rise by 6%
non-residential buildings spending to rise by 8%
residential construction spending to increase by 5%
Taylor's presentation was made in the Carolinas. There's some data in the PPT on those states.
02 Nov, 2007
Copper Theft; Mercury Pollution
1. "Power plants are focus of drive to cut mercury" -- Nearly 500 coal-burning power plants together constitute the nation's single largest source of mercury. It goes into the air. Then it settles in the water. Where does the mercury end up? In fish. Then you eat the fish. This story jumps to page 5A. On the next page (6A) there was a map of the U.S. with areas of high "airborne mercury emissions." Interestingly enough, USAT ran the map in black-and-white.
2. Right below that story, "States battle rise in copper thefts" -- a short story on this ran on page one, and a longer story on page 3A (not a jump, though). According to the article:
"losses to businesses hover around $1 billion" (from the U.S. DoE, apparently)
Nevada Power has seen copper thefts more than double (is that all?) since 2006.
At a Nevada farm, copper thieves have knocked 10 of 15 irrigation pumps out during this year, causing losses of $300K.
Oklahoma's Association of Electric Cooperatives say its members lost $500K+ to copper thieves in 2006's final quarter.
Colorado Springs Utilities has seen 38 thefts in 2007. Replacement costs: $700K. The utility serves 200K customers, which means the cost is $3.50 per utilty customer. So far.
Key here: Copper stealing has benefits (to the thieves), but the harm they cause is disproportionate. A source in the USAT story claimed that copper thefts are being performed by "methamphetamine users who are stripping realtively small amounts of salvageable copper -- about $200 worth -- for quick cash, and leaving $25,000 to $35,000 in damages."
02 Nov, 2007
Supervisors -- Top 10 Mistakes
2. Failing to solicit feedback.
3. Delegating without authorizing.
4. Reprimanding employees in the presence of others.
5. Supervising everyone the same way.
6. Keeping the interesting work for themselves.
7. Siding with team members.
8. Distancing themselves from those they supervise.
9. Promoting an "us versus them" attitude.
10. Engaging in illegal behaviors.
I'm not sure what's "Electrical" about any of that. It seems that any new supervisor (including, say, an editor or publisher) could make most of those mistakes. I can't remember doing anything illegal, but I'm sure that -- in my time -- I've probably done almost all of the first nine.
01 Nov, 2007
'Cyberintrusions' & Grid
After all, the first prominent recorded incident of such an act came in 2000, when a software developer in Australia, apparently miffed after being turned down for a government job, used stolen radio equipment to hack into a system controlling a sewage plant. On nearly 50 occasions, he sent malicious code that opened control valves, causing refuse to ooze into nearby rivers and parks.
01 Nov, 2007
Stock Buybacks Aren't Working
A columnist at Index Universe asks: "Why are the companies doing these buybacks underperforming the market?"
Back in August, I wrote a column (posted here) about Home Depot’s big buyback, and the fact that it wasn’t working. As an investor, I generally think a buyback by a company is a bad sign.
01 Nov, 2007
Dollar's Fall to Continue
"As the dollar undergoes an extended period of depreciation, trade will be an increasingly positive contributor to U.S. growth," Waldman said. "But, in the short term, the dollar's decline generates inflation risks at home and economic growth risks for the economies of key trading partners.
01 Nov, 2007
Electrical Design Library
01 Nov, 2007
End-Of-Day Routine/Security
01 Nov, 2007
More On 'Broken Buildings'
A few days ago, I noted here a book about "Broken Buildings" -- on how the construction industry no longer works. Now, FacilityBlog has taken on the book. I still haven't read the book, but I'm beginning to feel as if I might not need to do so. The author calls construction "the industry time forgot," the q,291-word FB entry says.
He's right.
